Ezekiel 27: A Lament for Tyre's Fallen Glory
The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying,
Now, thou son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyrus;
And say unto Tyrus, O thou that art situate at the entry of the sea, which art a merchant of the people for many isles, Thus saith the Lord God; O Tyrus, thou hast said, I am of perfect beauty.
Thy borders are in the midst of the seas, thy builders have perfected thy beauty.
They have made all thy ship boards of fir trees of Senir: they have taken cedars from Lebanon to make masts for thee.
Of the oaks of Bashan have they made thine oars; the company of the Ashurites have made thy benches of ivory, brought out of the isles of Chittim.
Fine linen with broidered work from Egypt was that which thou spreadest forth to be thy sail; blue and purple from the isles of Elishah was that which covered thee.
The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners: thy wise men, O Tyrus, that were in thee, were thy pilots.
The ancients of Gebal and the wise men thereof were in thee thy calkers: all the ships of the sea with their mariners were in thee to occupy thy merchandise.
They of Persia and of Lud and of Phut were in thine army, thy men of war: they hanged the shield and helmet in thee; they set forth thy comeliness.
The men of Arvad with thine army were upon thy walls round about, and the Gammadims were in thy towers: they hanged their shields upon thy walls round about; they have made thy beauty perfect.
Tarshish was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of all kind of riches; with silver, iron, tin, and lead, they traded in thy fairs.
Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were thy merchants: they traded the persons of men and vessels of brass in thy market.
They of the house of Togarmah traded in thy fairs with horses and horsemen and mules.
The men of Dedan were thy merchants; many isles were the merchandise of thine hand: they brought thee for a present horns of ivory and ebony.
Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making: they occupied in thy fairs with emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and agate.
Judah, and the land of Israel, they were thy merchants: they traded in thy market wheat of Minnith, and Pannag, and honey, and oil, and balm.
Damascus was thy merchant in the multitude of the wares of thy making, for the multitude of all riches; in the wine of Helbon, and white wool.
Dan also and Javan going to and fro occupied in thy fairs: bright iron, cassia, and calamus, were in thy market.
Dedan was thy merchant in precious clothes for chariots.
Arabia, and all the princes of Kedar, they occupied with thee in lambs, and rams, and goats: in these were they thy merchants.
The merchants of Sheba and Raamah, they were thy merchants: they occupied in thy fairs with chief of all spices, and with all precious stones, and gold.
Haran, and Canneh, and Eden, the merchants of Sheba, Asshur, and Chilmad, were thy merchants.
These were thy merchants in all sorts of things, in blue clothes, and broidered work, and in chests of rich apparel, bound with cords, and made of cedar, among thy merchandise.
The ships of Tarshish did sing of thee in thy market: and thou wast replenished, and made very glorious in the midst of the seas.
Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters: the east wind hath broken thee in the midst of the seas.
Thy riches, and thy fairs, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the occupiers of thy merchandise, and all thy men of war, that are in thee, and in all thy company which is in the midst of thee, shall fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin.
The suburbs shall shake at the sound of the cry of thy pilots.
And all that handle the oar, the mariners, and all the pilots of the sea, shall come down from their ships, they shall stand upon the land;
And shall cause their voice to be heard against thee, and shall cry bitterly, and shall cast up dust upon their heads, they shall wallow themselves in the ashes:
And they shall make themselves utterly bald for thee, and gird them with sackcloth, and they shall weep for thee with bitterness of heart and bitter wailing.
And in their wailing they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and lament over thee, saying, What city is like Tyrus, like the destroyed in the midst of the sea?
When thy wares went forth out of the seas, thou filledst many people; thou didst enrich the kings of the earth with the multitude of thy riches and of thy merchandise.
In the time when thou shalt be broken by the seas in the depths of the waters thy merchandise and all thy company in the midst of thee shall fall.
All the inhabitants of the isles shall be astonished at thee, and their kings shall be sore afraid, they shall be troubled in their countenance.
The merchants among the people shall hiss at thee; thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt be any more.
Ezekiel 27:1-25 Here is, I. The title of this lamentation or elegy: The word of the Lord came to Ezekiel, saying, Take up a lamentation for Tyrus, Ezekiel 27:1,2. Note, God expects that his prophets should be men of tender spirits, who can both reprove sharply and mourn kindly, and who can weep for those that will not weep for themselves. II. A large description of the city of Tyrus, as it was in its flourishing state, just before its destruction. This is given us to magnify the desolations of it when it was destroyed, that it might appear how great the glory of that was which was laid waste. Let us take a view of this great city, this mother of merchandise, this mart of the nations, and see what a figure she makes. 1. She is here described as a ship, finely built, richly freighted, well manned, and lying ready to put to sea. Observe, (1.) The place she had her timber from: They have made all thy ship-boards of fir-trees of Senir, Ezekiel 27:5. Mount Hermon was called Senir, Deuteronomy 3:9. The country about Tyre was but barren, and therefore they fetched their materials from abroad. The planks were of fir, which is strong and durable. They have taken cedar from Lebanon to make masts for thee. Cedar is tall and strong, and therefore fit for masts. They have made thy benches of oak of Bashan, Ezekiel 27:6. These were for the rowers. The inhabitants of the isles of Chittim made thy hatches of ivory, inlaid, or ornamented, with ivory. (2.) How she was fitted up: Fine linen, with embroidered work from Egypt, was that which thou spreadest forth to be thy sail, that served both for beauty and for use. Blue and purple from the isles of Elishah was that which covered thee, for awnings, or flags, or streamers. (3.) Who were her mariners: The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners, thy experienced skilful seamen. Thy wise men, O Tyrus! that were in thee, were thy pilots, that had the charge of the ship, to steer it safe through the sea. The ancients had a great regard to pilots, and allowed them great power. The elders of Gebal and the wise men thereof were in thee to calk thy seams, and repair thy leaks, that the ship might be tight and fit for service. All the ships of the sea, with their mariners, were in thee to occupy thy merchandise. She had trade with all parts, and all nations were welcome to her port, and had something to do there. 2. She is here described as a great trading city, that had correspondence and commerce with all parts of the world. (1.) She had soldiers of divers nations in her service (Ezekiel 27:10,11): The men of Persia, and of Lud, and of Phut, were in thy army, thy men of war. These were auxiliaries in her pay. The men of Arvad, with thy army, were upon thy walls round about. They hanged their shields upon thy walls. Thus was Tyre a universal monarchy, and all the world served her. (2.) She had merchants of divers nations in her markets, that brought their goods thither, and traded with her. [1.] From Tarshish they brought silver, iron, tin, and lead, Ezekiel 27:12. Spain is supposed to be the country here meant by Tarshish. [2.] From Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they brought slaves and vessels of brass, Ezekiel 27:13. Greece, and some of the northern countries, are supposed to be meant by those. [3.] From the house of Togarmah they brought horses and horsemen and mules, Ezekiel 27:14. Armenia. [4.] The men of Dedan brought ivory and ebony, Ezekiel 27:15. Ethiopia. [5.] Syria brought emeralds, purple, broidered work, fine linen, coral, and agate, Ezekiel 27:16. [6.] Judah and the land of Israel brought wheat, honey, oil, and balm, Ezekiel 27:17. These were the staple commodities of that country. [7.] Damascus brought wine and white wool, Ezekiel 27:18. [8.] Dan and Javan brought iron, cassia, and calamus, Ezekiel 27:19. [9.] Dedan brought precious cloths for chariots. Arabia. [10.] Cedar, blue cloth, and broidered work, were brought from Sheba and Raamah, Ezekiel 27:22. [11.] Haran, and Canneh, and Eden, and Sheba, and Asshur, and Chilmad, were all thy merchants, and traded in all sorts of things, Ezekiel 27:23. These were all in Mesopotamia. The description of this commerce is very similar to that of the New Jerusalem, Revelation 18:11-13.
Ezekiel 27:26-36 We have here the utter ruin and destruction of this once flourishing city, and the great lamentation that should be made for it. I. Here is a prediction of the overthrow of Tyre, Ezekiel 27:26,27. The rowers shall bring thee into great waters, and the east wind shall break thee in the midst of the seas. The rowers, by their art and strength, long kept the ship of Tyre from sinking, and brought her into many ports, and helped her to weather many a storm; but now they shall bring her into great waters, so that she shall be quite ungovernable, and her own rowers shall contribute to her destruction. God's judgments are often brought upon sinners by those very persons and things that they trusted to, and promised themselves safety and security in. The east wind shall break thee. God can make the winds to serve his purposes, and to fulfil his word; and that which was thought to be a defence shall be turned to destruction. All that wealth which they were so proud of, and which they depended so much upon, shall be lost and made a prey of to the enemy. The pilots, and all the mariners, with all the men of war that were in thee, and all thy company, shall fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin. Note, Those that live by the world shall perish with the world. Those that have their portion in it, and set their hearts upon it, shall feel the ruin of it. II. Here is a description of the great consternation that this should cause among all that were concerned in it, Ezekiel 27:28-36. The suburbs shall shake at the sound of the cry of thy pilots. Even those that live at a distance shall be alarmed at the tidings of it. And all that handle the oar, the mariners, and all the pilots of the sea, shall come down from their ships, and stand upon the land. They shall all be at their wits' end, and know not what to do to help themselves. They shall cry bitterly, and cast up dust upon their heads, Ezekiel 27:30. They shall make themselves bald for thee, and gird themselves with sackcloth. This was the usual expression of excessive grief. What an alteration will the ruin of Tyre make! How will those that were great mourners now become great mourners! They shall take up a lamentation for thee, and lament over thee. They shall say, What city is like Tyrus, like the destroyed in the midst of the sea? Ezekiel 27:32. It is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation. This is a lamentation indeed, and it shall be a standing lamentation, to be had in remembrance to the end of the world. When thy wares went forth out of the seas thou filledst many people; thou enrichedst the kings of the earth with the multitude of thy riches, Ezekiel 27:33. Tyre was a public good to mankind in general; she promoted trade and commerce, and brought plenty to many nations; and therefore her fall will be a universal loss, and all the world will have reason to lament it. Now that thou art broken by the seas in the depths of the waters, thy merchandise and all thy company in the midst of thee do fall. Those that were enriched by her merchandise are ruined with her. All the inhabitants of the isles shall be astonished at thee, and their kings shall be sore afraid, Ezekiel 27:35. Those that were far off, and had only trading with her, shall be amazed at her fall; much more those that were near, and had a dependence upon her. They shall be of a horrible countenance, and shall tremble at thy fall. They shall be amazed to see so great a change, and to think that so great a city should be so easily destroyed. The merchants among the people shall hiss at thee. They shall make thee a terror, and thou shalt be no more. They shall hiss at thee with contempt and indignation, as men do at those that have cheated and broken. Thou shalt be a terror, a monument of divine vengeance, and a warning to all to take heed of pride and the abuse of wealth. Thou shalt be no more; thy glory shall be for ever gone. Note, The richest and strongest cities, if they provoke God to jealousy, shall be brought to ruin, and their destruction will be a matter of great lamentation to all that had dealings with them. Howl, you ships of Tarshish! for your strength is laid waste, Isaiah 23:14.
Ezekiel 27 presents a powerful lament for the city of Tyre, a once-great and wealthy port city celebrated as a center of international trade. This chapter serves as a stark reminder of the fleeting nature of worldly power and the inevitable consequences of pride and self-reliance. God commissions Ezekiel to take up this lament, highlighting the prophet's role as both a messenger of divine judgment and a compassionate mourner for those who refuse to mourn for themselves (Ezekiel 27:1-2).
Tyre's Magnificent Ship: A Symbol of Prosperity (Ezekiel 27:1-9)
The lament begins by portraying Tyre as a magnificent ship, meticulously crafted and richly adorned, ready to sail the seas. This ship symbolizes the city's economic strength, global reach, and unparalleled beauty.
- Finest Materials: The ship's construction boasted the finest materials from across the known world, showcasing Tyre's vast trade network and access to luxury goods.
- Fir trees from Senir (Mount Hermon) formed the ship's hull, providing strength and durability (Ezekiel 27:5).
- Cedar from Lebanon was used for the masts, symbolizing height and resilience.
- Oaks from Bashan served as benches for the rowers, highlighting the manpower driving Tyre's success (Ezekiel 27:6).
- Ivory from the isles of Kittim (Cyprus) was used to make the decks.
- Exquisite Decoration: The sails were made of fine embroidered linen from Egypt, adding to the ship's beauty and prestige (Ezekiel 27:7). Awnings of blue and purple fabric from the coastlands of Elishah (likely Cyprus or Greece) provided shade and further enhanced the ship's regal appearance.
- Skilled Crew: The ship was manned by experienced mariners from Sidon and Arvad, while wise men from Tyre served as pilots, guiding the ship safely through treacherous waters. Elders from Gebal were responsible for caulking the seams and ensuring the ship's seaworthiness (Ezekiel 27:8-9).
A Hub of International Trade and Military Might (Ezekiel 27:10-25)
Tyre was not only a beautiful ship but also a bustling hub of international trade, attracting merchants and mercenaries from all corners of the earth.
- Mercenary Army: Tyre's army included soldiers from Persia, Lud, and Put, demonstrating its reliance on foreign manpower for defense (Ezekiel 27:10). Men from Arvad guarded the city walls, further emphasizing Tyre's cosmopolitan nature.
- Global Commerce: Merchants from Tarshish (possibly Spain) brought silver, iron, tin, and lead (Ezekiel 27:12). Javan (Greece), Tubal, and Meshech traded slaves and bronze vessels (Ezekiel 27:13). The house of Togarmah (Armenia) supplied horses, warhorses, and mules (Ezekiel 27:14). Dedan (Ethiopia) brought ivory and ebony (Ezekiel 27:15). Syria traded emeralds, purple cloth, embroidered work, fine linen, coral, and agate (Ezekiel 27:16). Judah and Israel supplied wheat, honey, oil, and balm (Ezekiel 27:17). Damascus brought wine and white wool (Ezekiel 27:18). Dan and Javan traded wrought iron, cassia, and calamus (Ezekiel 27:19). Arabia brought precious cloths for riding (Ezekiel 27:20). Sheba and Raamah traded in spices, precious stones, and gold (Ezekiel 27:22). Haran, Canneh, Eden, Sheba, Asshur, and Chilmad traded in choice garments, blue cloth, and embroidered work (Ezekiel 27:23).
This extensive list highlights Tyre's central role in the ancient world's economy and its dependence on the resources and labor of numerous nations.
The Inevitable Fall: Divine Judgment and Universal Lament (Ezekiel 27:26-36)
The lament takes a somber turn, predicting Tyre's utter destruction. The very elements that once contributed to its greatness would now become instruments of its downfall.
- Divine Judgment: God's "east wind" of judgment would shatter Tyre in the midst of the seas (Ezekiel 27:26). The ship, once a symbol of strength and prosperity, would be overwhelmed by the storm. All its wealth, merchandise, sailors, and warriors would sink into the depths.
- Widespread Mourning: The news of Tyre's demise would trigger widespread mourning among sailors and trading partners (Ezekiel 27:28-36). They would shave their heads, wear sackcloth, and wail bitterly, lamenting the loss of the city that had enriched them. The merchants would hiss at Tyre's ruin, recognizing the end of an era.
- Universal Loss: Tyre's fall would be felt far and wide, as it had enriched the kings of the earth with its abundant wealth (Ezekiel 27:33). The inhabitants of the coastlands would be astonished, and their kings would tremble in fear (Ezekiel 27:35).
Ezekiel 27 serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that worldly success is fleeting and that pride precedes a fall. The chapter calls us to examine our own reliance on material possessions and to seek true and lasting security in God alone. The lament for Tyre echoes through the ages, urging us to consider the ultimate value of our lives and to invest in things that will endure beyond this temporal world.
The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying,
Now, thou son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyrus;
And say unto Tyrus, O thou that art situate at the entry of the sea, which art a merchant of the people for many isles, Thus saith the Lord God; O Tyrus, thou hast said, I am of perfect beauty.
Thy borders are in the midst of the seas, thy builders have perfected thy beauty.
They have made all thy ship boards of fir trees of Senir: they have taken cedars from Lebanon to make masts for thee.
Of the oaks of Bashan have they made thine oars; the company of the Ashurites have made thy benches of ivory, brought out of the isles of Chittim.
Fine linen with broidered work from Egypt was that which thou spreadest forth to be thy sail; blue and purple from the isles of Elishah was that which covered thee.
The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners: thy wise men, O Tyrus, that were in thee, were thy pilots.
The ancients of Gebal and the wise men thereof were in thee thy calkers: all the ships of the sea with their mariners were in thee to occupy thy merchandise.
They of Persia and of Lud and of Phut were in thine army, thy men of war: they hanged the shield and helmet in thee; they set forth thy comeliness.
The men of Arvad with thine army were upon thy walls round about, and the Gammadims were in thy towers: they hanged their shields upon thy walls round about; they have made thy beauty perfect.
Tarshish was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of all kind of riches; with silver, iron, tin, and lead, they traded in thy fairs.
Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were thy merchants: they traded the persons of men and vessels of brass in thy market.
They of the house of Togarmah traded in thy fairs with horses and horsemen and mules.
The men of Dedan were thy merchants; many isles were the merchandise of thine hand: they brought thee for a present horns of ivory and ebony.
Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making: they occupied in thy fairs with emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and agate.
Judah, and the land of Israel, they were thy merchants: they traded in thy market wheat of Minnith, and Pannag, and honey, and oil, and balm.
Damascus was thy merchant in the multitude of the wares of thy making, for the multitude of all riches; in the wine of Helbon, and white wool.
Dan also and Javan going to and fro occupied in thy fairs: bright iron, cassia, and calamus, were in thy market.
Dedan was thy merchant in precious clothes for chariots.
Arabia, and all the princes of Kedar, they occupied with thee in lambs, and rams, and goats: in these were they thy merchants.
The merchants of Sheba and Raamah, they were thy merchants: they occupied in thy fairs with chief of all spices, and with all precious stones, and gold.
Haran, and Canneh, and Eden, the merchants of Sheba, Asshur, and Chilmad, were thy merchants.
These were thy merchants in all sorts of things, in blue clothes, and broidered work, and in chests of rich apparel, bound with cords, and made of cedar, among thy merchandise.
The ships of Tarshish did sing of thee in thy market: and thou wast replenished, and made very glorious in the midst of the seas.
Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters: the east wind hath broken thee in the midst of the seas.
Thy riches, and thy fairs, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the occupiers of thy merchandise, and all thy men of war, that are in thee, and in all thy company which is in the midst of thee, shall fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin.
The suburbs shall shake at the sound of the cry of thy pilots.
And all that handle the oar, the mariners, and all the pilots of the sea, shall come down from their ships, they shall stand upon the land;
And shall cause their voice to be heard against thee, and shall cry bitterly, and shall cast up dust upon their heads, they shall wallow themselves in the ashes:
And they shall make themselves utterly bald for thee, and gird them with sackcloth, and they shall weep for thee with bitterness of heart and bitter wailing.
And in their wailing they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and lament over thee, saying, What city is like Tyrus, like the destroyed in the midst of the sea?
When thy wares went forth out of the seas, thou filledst many people; thou didst enrich the kings of the earth with the multitude of thy riches and of thy merchandise.
In the time when thou shalt be broken by the seas in the depths of the waters thy merchandise and all thy company in the midst of thee shall fall.
All the inhabitants of the isles shall be astonished at thee, and their kings shall be sore afraid, they shall be troubled in their countenance.
The merchants among the people shall hiss at thee; thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt be any more.
Ezekiel 27:1-25 Here is, I. The title of this lamentation or elegy: The word of the Lord came to Ezekiel, saying, Take up a lamentation for Tyrus, Ezekiel 27:1,2. Note, God expects that his prophets should be men of tender spirits, who can both reprove sharply and mourn kindly, and who can weep for those that will not weep for themselves. II. A large description of the city of Tyrus, as it was in its flourishing state, just before its destruction. This is given us to magnify the desolations of it when it was destroyed, that it might appear how great the glory of that was which was laid waste. Let us take a view of this great city, this mother of merchandise, this mart of the nations, and see what a figure she makes. 1. She is here described as a ship, finely built, richly freighted, well manned, and lying ready to put to sea. Observe, (1.) The place she had her timber from: They have made all thy ship-boards of fir-trees of Senir, Ezekiel 27:5. Mount Hermon was called Senir, Deuteronomy 3:9. The country about Tyre was but barren, and therefore they fetched their materials from abroad. The planks were of fir, which is strong and durable. They have taken cedar from Lebanon to make masts for thee. Cedar is tall and strong, and therefore fit for masts. They have made thy benches of oak of Bashan, Ezekiel 27:6. These were for the rowers. The inhabitants of the isles of Chittim made thy hatches of ivory, inlaid, or ornamented, with ivory. (2.) How she was fitted up: Fine linen, with embroidered work from Egypt, was that which thou spreadest forth to be thy sail, that served both for beauty and for use. Blue and purple from the isles of Elishah was that which covered thee, for awnings, or flags, or streamers. (3.) Who were her mariners: The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners, thy experienced skilful seamen. Thy wise men, O Tyrus! that were in thee, were thy pilots, that had the charge of the ship, to steer it safe through the sea. The ancients had a great regard to pilots, and allowed them great power. The elders of Gebal and the wise men thereof were in thee to calk thy seams, and repair thy leaks, that the ship might be tight and fit for service. All the ships of the sea, with their mariners, were in thee to occupy thy merchandise. She had trade with all parts, and all nations were welcome to her port, and had something to do there. 2. She is here described as a great trading city, that had correspondence and commerce with all parts of the world. (1.) She had soldiers of divers nations in her service (Ezekiel 27:10,11): The men of Persia, and of Lud, and of Phut, were in thy army, thy men of war. These were auxiliaries in her pay. The men of Arvad, with thy army, were upon thy walls round about. They hanged their shields upon thy walls. Thus was Tyre a universal monarchy, and all the world served her. (2.) She had merchants of divers nations in her markets, that brought their goods thither, and traded with her. [1.] From Tarshish they brought silver, iron, tin, and lead, Ezekiel 27:12. Spain is supposed to be the country here meant by Tarshish. [2.] From Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they brought slaves and vessels of brass, Ezekiel 27:13. Greece, and some of the northern countries, are supposed to be meant by those. [3.] From the house of Togarmah they brought horses and horsemen and mules, Ezekiel 27:14. Armenia. [4.] The men of Dedan brought ivory and ebony, Ezekiel 27:15. Ethiopia. [5.] Syria brought emeralds, purple, broidered work, fine linen, coral, and agate, Ezekiel 27:16. [6.] Judah and the land of Israel brought wheat, honey, oil, and balm, Ezekiel 27:17. These were the staple commodities of that country. [7.] Damascus brought wine and white wool, Ezekiel 27:18. [8.] Dan and Javan brought iron, cassia, and calamus, Ezekiel 27:19. [9.] Dedan brought precious cloths for chariots. Arabia. [10.] Cedar, blue cloth, and broidered work, were brought from Sheba and Raamah, Ezekiel 27:22. [11.] Haran, and Canneh, and Eden, and Sheba, and Asshur, and Chilmad, were all thy merchants, and traded in all sorts of things, Ezekiel 27:23. These were all in Mesopotamia. The description of this commerce is very similar to that of the New Jerusalem, Revelation 18:11-13.
Ezekiel 27:26-36 We have here the utter ruin and destruction of this once flourishing city, and the great lamentation that should be made for it. I. Here is a prediction of the overthrow of Tyre, Ezekiel 27:26,27. The rowers shall bring thee into great waters, and the east wind shall break thee in the midst of the seas. The rowers, by their art and strength, long kept the ship of Tyre from sinking, and brought her into many ports, and helped her to weather many a storm; but now they shall bring her into great waters, so that she shall be quite ungovernable, and her own rowers shall contribute to her destruction. God's judgments are often brought upon sinners by those very persons and things that they trusted to, and promised themselves safety and security in. The east wind shall break thee. God can make the winds to serve his purposes, and to fulfil his word; and that which was thought to be a defence shall be turned to destruction. All that wealth which they were so proud of, and which they depended so much upon, shall be lost and made a prey of to the enemy. The pilots, and all the mariners, with all the men of war that were in thee, and all thy company, shall fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin. Note, Those that live by the world shall perish with the world. Those that have their portion in it, and set their hearts upon it, shall feel the ruin of it. II. Here is a description of the great consternation that this should cause among all that were concerned in it, Ezekiel 27:28-36. The suburbs shall shake at the sound of the cry of thy pilots. Even those that live at a distance shall be alarmed at the tidings of it. And all that handle the oar, the mariners, and all the pilots of the sea, shall come down from their ships, and stand upon the land. They shall all be at their wits' end, and know not what to do to help themselves. They shall cry bitterly, and cast up dust upon their heads, Ezekiel 27:30. They shall make themselves bald for thee, and gird themselves with sackcloth. This was the usual expression of excessive grief. What an alteration will the ruin of Tyre make! How will those that were great mourners now become great mourners! They shall take up a lamentation for thee, and lament over thee. They shall say, What city is like Tyrus, like the destroyed in the midst of the sea? Ezekiel 27:32. It is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation. This is a lamentation indeed, and it shall be a standing lamentation, to be had in remembrance to the end of the world. When thy wares went forth out of the seas thou filledst many people; thou enrichedst the kings of the earth with the multitude of thy riches, Ezekiel 27:33. Tyre was a public good to mankind in general; she promoted trade and commerce, and brought plenty to many nations; and therefore her fall will be a universal loss, and all the world will have reason to lament it. Now that thou art broken by the seas in the depths of the waters, thy merchandise and all thy company in the midst of thee do fall. Those that were enriched by her merchandise are ruined with her. All the inhabitants of the isles shall be astonished at thee, and their kings shall be sore afraid, Ezekiel 27:35. Those that were far off, and had only trading with her, shall be amazed at her fall; much more those that were near, and had a dependence upon her. They shall be of a horrible countenance, and shall tremble at thy fall. They shall be amazed to see so great a change, and to think that so great a city should be so easily destroyed. The merchants among the people shall hiss at thee. They shall make thee a terror, and thou shalt be no more. They shall hiss at thee with contempt and indignation, as men do at those that have cheated and broken. Thou shalt be a terror, a monument of divine vengeance, and a warning to all to take heed of pride and the abuse of wealth. Thou shalt be no more; thy glory shall be for ever gone. Note, The richest and strongest cities, if they provoke God to jealousy, shall be brought to ruin, and their destruction will be a matter of great lamentation to all that had dealings with them. Howl, you ships of Tarshish! for your strength is laid waste, Isaiah 23:14.
Ezekiel 27 presents a powerful lament for the city of Tyre, a once-great and wealthy port city celebrated as a center of international trade. This chapter serves as a stark reminder of the fleeting nature of worldly power and the inevitable consequences of pride and self-reliance. God commissions Ezekiel to take up this lament, highlighting the prophet's role as both a messenger of divine judgment and a compassionate mourner for those who refuse to mourn for themselves (Ezekiel 27:1-2).
Tyre's Magnificent Ship: A Symbol of Prosperity (Ezekiel 27:1-9)
The lament begins by portraying Tyre as a magnificent ship, meticulously crafted and richly adorned, ready to sail the seas. This ship symbolizes the city's economic strength, global reach, and unparalleled beauty.
- Finest Materials: The ship's construction boasted the finest materials from across the known world, showcasing Tyre's vast trade network and access to luxury goods.
- Fir trees from Senir (Mount Hermon) formed the ship's hull, providing strength and durability (Ezekiel 27:5).
- Cedar from Lebanon was used for the masts, symbolizing height and resilience.
- Oaks from Bashan served as benches for the rowers, highlighting the manpower driving Tyre's success (Ezekiel 27:6).
- Ivory from the isles of Kittim (Cyprus) was used to make the decks.
- Exquisite Decoration: The sails were made of fine embroidered linen from Egypt, adding to the ship's beauty and prestige (Ezekiel 27:7). Awnings of blue and purple fabric from the coastlands of Elishah (likely Cyprus or Greece) provided shade and further enhanced the ship's regal appearance.
- Skilled Crew: The ship was manned by experienced mariners from Sidon and Arvad, while wise men from Tyre served as pilots, guiding the ship safely through treacherous waters. Elders from Gebal were responsible for caulking the seams and ensuring the ship's seaworthiness (Ezekiel 27:8-9).
A Hub of International Trade and Military Might (Ezekiel 27:10-25)
Tyre was not only a beautiful ship but also a bustling hub of international trade, attracting merchants and mercenaries from all corners of the earth.
- Mercenary Army: Tyre's army included soldiers from Persia, Lud, and Put, demonstrating its reliance on foreign manpower for defense (Ezekiel 27:10). Men from Arvad guarded the city walls, further emphasizing Tyre's cosmopolitan nature.
- Global Commerce: Merchants from Tarshish (possibly Spain) brought silver, iron, tin, and lead (Ezekiel 27:12). Javan (Greece), Tubal, and Meshech traded slaves and bronze vessels (Ezekiel 27:13). The house of Togarmah (Armenia) supplied horses, warhorses, and mules (Ezekiel 27:14). Dedan (Ethiopia) brought ivory and ebony (Ezekiel 27:15). Syria traded emeralds, purple cloth, embroidered work, fine linen, coral, and agate (Ezekiel 27:16). Judah and Israel supplied wheat, honey, oil, and balm (Ezekiel 27:17). Damascus brought wine and white wool (Ezekiel 27:18). Dan and Javan traded wrought iron, cassia, and calamus (Ezekiel 27:19). Arabia brought precious cloths for riding (Ezekiel 27:20). Sheba and Raamah traded in spices, precious stones, and gold (Ezekiel 27:22). Haran, Canneh, Eden, Sheba, Asshur, and Chilmad traded in choice garments, blue cloth, and embroidered work (Ezekiel 27:23).
This extensive list highlights Tyre's central role in the ancient world's economy and its dependence on the resources and labor of numerous nations.
The Inevitable Fall: Divine Judgment and Universal Lament (Ezekiel 27:26-36)
The lament takes a somber turn, predicting Tyre's utter destruction. The very elements that once contributed to its greatness would now become instruments of its downfall.
- Divine Judgment: God's "east wind" of judgment would shatter Tyre in the midst of the seas (Ezekiel 27:26). The ship, once a symbol of strength and prosperity, would be overwhelmed by the storm. All its wealth, merchandise, sailors, and warriors would sink into the depths.
- Widespread Mourning: The news of Tyre's demise would trigger widespread mourning among sailors and trading partners (Ezekiel 27:28-36). They would shave their heads, wear sackcloth, and wail bitterly, lamenting the loss of the city that had enriched them. The merchants would hiss at Tyre's ruin, recognizing the end of an era.
- Universal Loss: Tyre's fall would be felt far and wide, as it had enriched the kings of the earth with its abundant wealth (Ezekiel 27:33). The inhabitants of the coastlands would be astonished, and their kings would tremble in fear (Ezekiel 27:35).
Ezekiel 27 serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that worldly success is fleeting and that pride precedes a fall. The chapter calls us to examine our own reliance on material possessions and to seek true and lasting security in God alone. The lament for Tyre echoes through the ages, urging us to consider the ultimate value of our lives and to invest in things that will endure beyond this temporal world.